Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 9/87 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-039794
FANTASTIC FOUR #306
Late-1980s Fantastic Four direct edition from the Englehart/Buscema run
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | September 1987 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | LISTED ON EBAY |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-027748 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | LISTED ON EBAY ↗ (opens eBay in a new tab) |
| ECA-039794 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | LISTED ON EBAY ↗ (opens eBay in a new tab) |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows sharp corners and clean, unblunted edges with no visible chipping. Spine appears tight with no stress lines or color breaking visible in this image. Colors are bright with no noticeable fading or staining, and the book is protected in a plastic sleeve. Minor handling wear cannot be ruled out, and the interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $65 |
// Archive commentary
Fantastic Four #306 arrived during the late-1980s stretch of the title helmed by writer Steve Englehart with art from John Buscema and inks by Joe Sinnott, a period marked by significant roster upheaval as the classic Reed Richards/Sue Storm/Ben Grimm/Johnny Storm lineup gave way to new configurations including Sharon Ventura and the returning Crystal. The issue is representative of this transitional era rather than a landmark chapter in its own right, reflecting the team dynamics and cosmic-adventure plotting typical of the book's Copper Age output. No first appearance, death, or other historically cited event is attached to this specific issue.
Market data reflects a common, low-demand Copper Age direct-market book: certified population sits at 40 copies, sales activity is thin across nearly every grade, and the sole reliable data point places a 9.6 near the low twenties. Collector interest in this specific issue is driven almost entirely by series completism rather than any speculative first-appearance premium, keeping raw copies inexpensive across the grading spectrum.
This book trades as a filler issue within long-run Fantastic Four collections, appealing to readers assembling the Englehart/Buscema stretch or completists working through the series numerically. Raw copies in low and mid grade remain widely available and inexpensive, while the handful of high-grade certified copies command a modest premium purely on scarcity, since population at the top of the census is limited despite the book's otherwise low profile. It is not a book pursued by key-issue investors, and demand is unlikely to move independent of broader trends in the Fantastic Four back-issue market.
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Listed on eBay. This unit is for sale on eBay: view the listing ↗ (opens eBay in a new tab). Questions about it are welcome here too.
